U.S. patent number 11,208,942 [Application Number 16/568,804] was granted by the patent office on 2021-12-28 for exhaust manifold clamp for the manifold-cylinder head joint.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Cummins Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Cummins Inc.. Invention is credited to Thomas James Anthony Bennett, Simon Anthony Burge, Daniel A. Cook, Milind Subhash Deulkar, Timothy S. T. King, Kieran J. Richards, Daniel C. Sopp.
United States Patent |
11,208,942 |
Cook , et al. |
December 28, 2021 |
Exhaust manifold clamp for the manifold-cylinder head joint
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for clamping an
exhaust manifold to a cylinder head with at least one clamp that is
configured to allow thermal expansion and movement of the exhaust
manifold while preventing exhaust leaks through the exhaust
manifold and cylinder head connection.
Inventors: |
Cook; Daniel A. (Daventry,
GB), Burge; Simon Anthony (Rugby, GB),
Deulkar; Milind Subhash (Leicester, GB), Bennett;
Thomas James Anthony (Long Buckby, GB), Richards;
Kieran J. (West Haddon, GB), King; Timothy S. T.
(Long Buckby, GB), Sopp; Daniel C. (Northampton,
GB) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cummins Inc. |
Columbus |
IN |
US |
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Assignee: |
Cummins Inc. (Columbus,
IN)
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Family
ID: |
1000006017891 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/568,804 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200003105 A1 |
Jan 2, 2020 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/US2018/022586 |
Mar 15, 2018 |
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62475355 |
Mar 23, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01N
13/1811 (20130101); F01N 13/1805 (20130101); F01N
13/10 (20130101); F01N 13/1855 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F01N
13/18 (20100101); F01N 13/10 (20100101) |
Field of
Search: |
;60/321,323 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0849446 |
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Dec 1997 |
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EP |
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1571305 |
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Dec 2004 |
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EP |
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2009003668 |
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Jan 2009 |
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WO |
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Other References
Translation of Janthur WO 2009003668 (Year: 2009). cited by
examiner .
Search Report and Written Opinion , PCT Appln. No. PCT/U18/22586, 9
pgs, dated May 31, 2018. cited by applicant .
Examination Report Under Section 18(3), GB Appln. Serial No.
1913559.9, dated Jun. 23, 2021, 2 pgs. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Laurenzi; Mark A
Assistant Examiner: France; Mickey H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Taft Stettinius & Hollister
LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is a continuation of PCT Application No.
PCT/US18/22586, filed Mar. 15, 2018, which claims the benefit of
the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/475,355
filed on Mar. 23, 2017.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system, comprising: a cylinder head for an internal combustion
engine; an exhaust manifold removably engageable to the cylinder
head, the exhaust manifold including at least one flange that is
the positionable around a cylinder head outlet for exhaust flow;
and at least one clamp that includes a recessed portion for
receiving at least a part of the at least one flange of the exhaust
manifold, a first lobe at a first side of the recessed portion that
includes a first bore for receiving a first fastener, and a second
lobe at a second side of the recessed portion opposite the first
side that includes a second bore for receiving a second fastener,
the first fastener and the second fastener coupling the at least
one clamp to the cylinder head to clampingly engage the at least
one flange to the cylinder head around the cylinder head
outlet.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion of the at
least one clamp is configured to receive a tab of the at least one
flange and allow the exhaust manifold to move relative to the at
least one clamp in response to thermal expansion of the exhaust
manifold while clampingly engaging the at least one flange to the
cylinder head.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one clamp includes a
body defining the recessed portion.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the body of the at least one
clamp includes a first end surface positioned toward the cylinder
head and an opposite second end surface, and the first and second
bores extend through the first and second end surfaces.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the body of the at least one
clamp includes a first outer surface opposite the recessed portion,
the first outer surface extending between the first and second end
surfaces, the recessed portion including a first surface portion
that extends parallel to the first outer surface from the second
end surface to an internal lip of the recessed portion, and the
internal lip extending to a second outer surface that extends
parallel to the first outer surface from the lip to the first end
surface.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second end
surfaces, the first and second outer surfaces, and the first
surface portion are planar.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second lobes
project outwardly from the second outer surface and the first
surface portion of the recessed portion.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first and second lobes each
extend between the first and second end surfaces along the first
outer surface, the first and second lobes each further extending
along a respective one of opposite first and second side surfaces
of the body of the clamp, wherein the first and second side
surfaces each extend between the first and second end surfaces
along the first outer surface.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one clamp includes a
first clamp body engaged to an upper end of the at least one flange
of the exhaust manifold and a second clamp body movably engaged to
a lower end of the at least one flange of the exhaust manifold,
each of the first and second clamp bodies including at least one
bore for receiving at least one fastener that engages the cylinder
head to clampingly engage the at least one flange around the
cylinder head outlet with the first and second clamp bodies.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first and second clamp
bodies are joined together at one end with a strut to provide a
C-shaped clamping assembly.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange of the
exhaust manifold includes at least one of a low friction coating
and a wear pad that is positioned against the cylinder head and/or
manifold-clamp interface.
12. A system, comprising: a cylinder head for an internal
combustion engine; an exhaust manifold removably engageable to the
cylinder head, the exhaust manifold including at least one flange
that is the positionable around a cylinder head outlet for exhaust
flow; and at least one clamp that includes a recessed portion for
receiving at least a part of the at least one flange of the exhaust
manifold, the at least one clamp including at least one bore for
receiving at least one fastener that couples the at least one clamp
to the cylinder head to clampingly engage the at least one flange
to the cylinder head around the cylinder head outlet, wherein the
at least one fastener includes a sleeve that is positioned in the
at least one bore and a cap screw that is positioned through the
sleeve.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the exhaust manifold includes a
first inlet portion and a second inlet portion that each include a
corresponding one of a first flange and a second flange that are
positionable around respective ones of first and second cylinder
head outlets, and the at least one clamp includes a first clamp and
a second clamp that each include a recessed portion for receiving a
corresponding one of the first flange and the second flange of the
exhaust manifold, and each of the first and second clamps includes
at least two bores each for receiving a fastener that engages the
cylinder head to clampingly engage the at least one flange around
the corresponding one of the first and second cylinder head
outlets.
14. A system, comprising: a cylinder head for an internal
combustion engine; an exhaust manifold removably engageable to the
cylinder head, the exhaust manifold including a first inlet portion
and a second inlet portion that each include a corresponding one of
a first flange and a second flange that are positionable around
respective ones of first and second cylinder head outlets for
exhaust flow, wherein the first and second inlet portions of the
exhaust manifold come together at a common outlet of the exhaust
manifold; a first clamp and a second clamp that each include a
recessed portion for receiving a corresponding one of the first
flange and the second flange of the exhaust manifold, and each of
the first and second clamps includes at least two bores each for
receiving a fastener that engages the cylinder head to clampingly
engage corresponding ones of the first flange and the second flange
around the corresponding one of the first and second cylinder head
outlets.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the exhaust manifold includes a
connecting portion for connection with a second exhaust
manifold.
16. An apparatus for clamping an exhaust manifold flange around an
outlet of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine,
comprising: a clamp including a clamp body with a recessed portion
for receiving at least a part of the exhaust manifold flange, the
body of the clamp including at least one bore for receiving at
least one fastener that couples the body of the clamp to the
cylinder head to clampingly engage the exhaust manifold flange to
the cylinder head around the outlet, wherein the body of the clamp
includes a first lobe at a first side of the recessed portion that
defines a first bore for receiving a first fastener, and a second
lobe at a second side of the recessed portion opposite the first
side, the second lobe defining a second bore for receiving a second
fastener.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the recessed portion of the
clamp body is configured relative to the part of the exhaust
manifold flange to allow the exhaust manifold to move relative to
the clamp in response to thermal expansion of the exhaust manifold
with the flange clampingly engaged to the cylinder head.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the body of the clamp
includes a first end surface positioned toward the cylinder head
and an opposite second end surface, and the first and second bores
extend through the first and second end surfaces.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the body of the clamp
includes a first outer surface opposite the recessed portion, the
first outer surface extending between the first and second end
surfaces, and the recessed portion including a first surface
portion that extends parallel to the first outer surface from the
second end surface to an internal lip of the recessed portion, the
internal lip extending to a second outer surface that extends
parallel to the first outer surface from the lip to the first end
surface.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the first and second end
surfaces, the first and second outer surfaces, and the first
surface portion are planar; and the first and second lobes project
outwardly from the second outer surface and the first surface
portion of the recessed portion.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and second lobes
each extend between the first and second end surfaces along the
first outer surface, the first and second lobes each further
extending along a respective one of opposite first and second side
surfaces of the body of the clamp, wherein the first and second
side surfaces each extend between the first and second end surfaces
along the first outer surface.
22. An apparatus for clamping an exhaust manifold flange around an
outlet of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine,
comprising: a clamp including a first clamp body with a first
recessed portion for receiving a first part of a flange of the
exhaust manifold, the clamp further including a second clamp body
with a second recessed portion for receiving a second part of the
flange of the exhaust manifold, each of the first and second clamp
bodies including at least one bore for receiving at least one
fastener to couple the first and second clamp bodies to the
cylinder head and clampingly engage the flange around the outlet of
the cylinder head, wherein the first and second clamp bodies are
joined together at one end with a strut to provide a C-shaped
clamping assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to internal combustion
engines, and more particularly to an exhaust manifold clamp for the
manifold-cylinder head joint.
BACKGROUND
Operating conditions for exhaust manifolds can result in exhaust
leakage and component failure do to the high heat, stresses, and
thermal expansion events that occur. These conditions are even more
problematic as the power rating and size of the engine increases.
Therefore, further improvements in this technology area are needed
to address these issues, among others.
SUMMARY
One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a unique system,
method and/or apparatus for securing an exhaust manifold to a
cylinder head. In one embodiment, a clamp is provided that includes
a body with a recessed portion for receiving a flange of the
exhaust manifold. Bores through the body of the clamp adjacent to
the ends of the recessed portion are provided to receive fasteners
that couple the clamp to the cylinder head and clamp the exhaust
manifold to the cylinder head with the clamp.
Other embodiments include dowels between the cylinder head and
exhaust manifold flange that assist in locating the flange on the
cylinder head for position piloting and constraint in at least one
of the vertical and crank axis directions of the engine. Still
other embodiments employ a low friction coating and/or wear pads on
the exhaust manifold flange to allow exhaust manifold motion
relative to the clamp due to thermal expansion of the exhaust
manifold, which reduces or prevents bending stresses from being
transferred to the fasteners that couple the clamp to the cylinder
head. In addition, the clamp reduces the manifold stress and
reduces or prevents thermal ratcheting risks.
This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features
of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an
aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further
embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and
benefits shall become apparent from the following description and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several
views, and wherein:
FIGS. 1A-1D are various perspective view of one embodiment exhaust
manifold clamps mounted to an exhaust manifold.
FIGS. 2A-2C are various perspective views of another embodiment
exhaust manifold clamp.
FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the exhaust manifold
clamp, the exhaust manifold and the cylinder head along with
fasteners for securing the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head
with the exhaust manifold clamp.
FIGS. 4A-4B are perspective views showing the exhaust manifold
secured to the cylinder head with the exhaust manifold clamp.
FIGS. 5A-5B are perspective views showing the FIGS. 1A-1D
embodiment exhaust manifold C clamps mounted to the exhaust
manifold and looking toward the cylinder head mounting faces of the
exhaust manifold.
FIGS. 6A-6B are perspective views of the exhaust manifold and
exhaust manifold C clamps in FIGS. 5A-5B looking toward the
cylinder head.
FIGS. 7A-7B are perspective views of the exhaust manifold of FIGS.
6A and 5A, respectively, with the exhaust manifold C clamps
removed.
FIG. 8A is a section view through the cylinder head and exhaust
manifold showing the exhaust manifold C clamp mounted to the
exhaust manifold flange, and FIG. 8B is a section view through the
cylinder head showing the mounting holes for the ring dowels and
alignment dowel.
FIGS. 9A-9B are exploded perspective views of the cylinder head and
the exhaust manifold and exhaust manifold C clamps in FIGS. 5A-5B,
with the gasket omitted from the views.
FIGS. 10A-10C are additional exploded perspective views of the
cylinder head and the exhaust manifold and exhaust manifold C
clamps in FIGS. 5A-5B, with the gasket omitted from the
Figures.
FIGS. 11A-11C are various perspective views of the C shaped
embodiment exhaust manifold clamp.
FIGS. 12A-12C are perspective views showing the FIGS. 2A-2C
embodiment exhaust manifold clamps mounted to the exhaust manifold
and looking toward the cylinder head.
FIG. 13A is an elevation view looking toward the mounting faces of
the exhaust manifold with the clamps on the mounting flanges of the
exhaust manifold and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing the
clamps engaged to the exhaust manifold and to the cylinder head
with the fasteners.
FIG. 14A is a section view through the exhaust manifold flanges and
E-clamps looking toward the cylinder head and FIG. 14B is a section
view of the exhaust manifold and clamps looking away from the
cylinder head.
FIGS. 15A-15B are additional exploded perspective views of the
exhaust manifold and exhaust manifold clamps of FIGS. 12A-12B and
the cylinder head.
FIGS. 16A-16B are additional exploded perspective views of the
exhaust manifold and exhaust manifold clamps of FIGS. 12A-12B and
the cylinder head.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of
the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments
illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to
describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, any
alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the
invention as illustrated therein as would normally occur to one
skilled in the art to which the invention relates are contemplated
herein.
FIGS. 1A-1D show various perspective views of one embodiment of an
exhaust manifold 100 with one embodiment of first and second clamp
assemblies 10a, 10b mounted thereto. In the illustrated embodiment,
exhaust manifold 100 includes a first inlet portion 102a and a
second inlet portion 102b that are connected to a common outlet
104. Common outlet 104 includes an outlet flange 106. Exhaust
manifold 100 also includes a connecting portion 110 that can be
connected to another exhaust manifold to form an exhaust manifold
assembly with two or more exhaust manifolds 100 connected to one
another.
FIGS. 1A-1D and also FIGS. 5A-6B further show a first flange 108a
on first inlet portion 102a of exhaust manifold 100 and a second
flange 108b on second inlet portion 102b of exhaust manifold 100.
Clamp assemblies 10a, 10b are mounted on respective ones of the
first and second flanges 108a, 108b. See also FIGS. 7A and 7B.
Clamp assemblies 10a, 10b each include at least one fastener that
is engageable to a cylinder head, as discussed further below, to
clampingly engage the exhaust manifold 100 against the cylinder
head while permitting relative movement of the exhaust manifold
relative to the clamp assemblies 10a, 10b to accommodate thermal
expansion of the exhaust manifold 100 without producing undue
stress on the fasteners and manifold.
Further details of one embodiment of a clamp 12 that could be
employed with clamp assemblies 10a, 10b is shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.
Each clamp 12 includes an elongated body 14 that has a recessed
portion 16 for receiving a part of a respective one of the flanges
108a, 108b of the exhaust manifold 100. Body 14 defines a first
bore 18 and a second bore 20 that each receive a corresponding
fastener, as discussed further below, that engage the cylinder head
150 (FIG. 3) to clampingly secure the corresponding flange 108a,
108b against the cylinder head 150 and around the corresponding
cylinder head outlet 152a, 152b. The recessed portion 16 is
configured to allow the exhaust manifold 100 to move relative to
the cylinder head 150 and the at least one clamp 12 in response to
thermal expansion of the exhaust manifold 100.
The body 14 of clamp 12 also includes a first lobe 22 at a first
side of the recessed portion 16 that defines first bore 18 for
receiving a first fastener 50, and a second lobe 24 at a second
side of the recessed portion 16 that defines second bore 20 for
receiving a second fastener 60, such as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3
each fastener 50, 60 includes a sleeve 52, 62 and a cap screw 54,
64 that, respectively, are positionable in bores 18, 20.
Body 14 of the clamp 12 includes a first end surface 26 positioned
toward the cylinder head 150 and an opposite second end surface 28.
The first and second bores 18, 20 extend through the first and
second end surfaces 26, 28. Body 14 of clamp 12 includes a first
outer surface 30 opposite the recessed portion 16 that extends
between the first and second end surfaces 26, 28. The recessed
portion 16 includes a first surface portion 32 that extends
parallel to the first outer surface 30 from the second end surface
28 to an internal lip 34 of the recessed portion 16. Lip 34 extends
to a second outer surface 36 that extends parallel to the first
outer surface 30 from the lip 34 to the first end surface 26.
In one embodiment, the first and second end surfaces 26, 28, the
first and second outer surfaces 30, 36, and the first surface
portion 32 are planar. Other embodiments contemplate that one or
more of these surfaces is not planar, and any suitable shape is
contemplated. In another embodiment, the first and second lobes 22,
24 project outwardly from the second outer surface 36 and the first
surface portion 32 of the recessed portion 16. The first and second
lobes 22, 24 each extend to the first and second end surfaces 26,
28 along the first outer surface 30. The first and second lobes 22,
24 each further extend along a respective one of opposite first and
second side surfaces 37, 38. Side surfaces 37, 38 each extend
between the first and second end surfaces 26, 28 along the first
outer surface 30.
In FIGS. 1A-1D, FIGS. 4A-6B, and FIGS. 9B-11C, another embodiment C
clamp 12' is illustrated with each of the clamp assemblies 10a,
10b. C clamp 12' can include upper and lower legs that are
identical to the clamp 12 described above but further includes a
strut 40 that connects ends of the upper and lower clamp body
portions 14a, 14b to form a C-shaped clamp body 14' that is engaged
to upper and lower tabs 114, 116 of each flange 108a, 108b. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamps 12 have separate clamp
bodies that are engaged to the respective upper and lower tabs 114,
116 of the flanges 108a, 108b of the exhaust manifold 100.
In FIGS. 3, 4A-4B, 8A, 14B and other figures, the exhaust manifold
100 is shown with first inlet portion 102a and second inlet portion
102b that each includes a corresponding one of first flange 108a
and second flange 108b that are positionable around respective ones
of first and second cylinder head outlets 152a, 152b. Each flange
108a, 108b includes an upper tab 114 and a lower tab 116 that are
engaged by a corresponding clamp 12, 12' and/or clamp body portion
14a, 14b. The recessed portion 16 of each clamp 12, 12' receives a
corresponding one of the first and second tabs 114, 116 therein.
The fasteners 50, 60 are engaged to the cylinder head 150 through
bores 18, 20 formed in the clamps so that the flanges 108a, 108b
are clamped against the adjacent face of the cylinder head 150
around the corresponding one of the first and second cylinder head
outlets 152a, 152b.
The recessed portion 16 and the corresponding tab 114, 116 received
therein are dimensionally controlled to allow sliding movement of
the exhaust manifold 100 relative to clamp 12, 12' or clamp body
14a, 14b while clamp assemblies 10a, 10b maintain clamping
engagement of the exhaust manifold 100 with the cylinder head 150
to prevent exhaust leakage. Bending loads from thermal expansion of
exhaust manifold 100 are prevented from being transferred to
fasteners 50, 60. The clamp assemblies 10a, 10b disclosed herein
separate the exhaust gas sealing and thermal management/expansion
functions with the geometry/arrangement of the tabs 114, 116 and
the recessed portions 16 of clamp assemblies 110a, 110b allowing
for manifold sliding relative to the clamp in the vertical and
crank axis directions and providing the required sealing pressure
due to the depth of the clamp recessed portion 16 and manifold tabs
114, 116. In certain embodiments, a gasket 70a, 70b is provided
between flange 108a, 108b and the adjacent face of cylinder head
150. In other embodiments, the flanges 108a, 108b can include a low
friction coating and/or a wear pad that facilitates movement during
thermal expansion.
FIGS. 1A, 1C, 3, 5A-5B, 7A-7B, 8B, 9A-10C, and 13A-16B further
illustrate a positioning and mounting arrangement to assist in
locating and mounting exhaust manifold 100 on cylinder head 150.
The arrangement includes one or more dowels 160 extending from the
cylinder head 150 or flange 108a, 108b that are received in
corresponding hole(s) to align the exhaust manifold 100 on the
cylinder head 150. In one embodiment, the dowels 160 extend from
cylinder head 150 and are received in a slot 118 of the
corresponding tabs 116 to provide a vertical alignment (transverse
to the crank axis) of the exhaust manifold 100 on the cylinder head
150 to provide vertical positioning and constrain movement in the
vertical position. In another embodiment, the dowels also provide
an alignment and constraint in movement along the crank axis.
Combinations of these can also be used for an exhaust manifold,
with one flange 108a, 108b being constrained only vertically such
as provided with the wider slot 118' that is wider than dowel 160
to allow some translation along the crank axis, and the other
flange 108a, 108b is constrained both vertically and along the
crank axis with dowel 160 in a narrower slot 118.
The cylinder head 150 can also include ring dowels 162 in the holes
152 in the mounting face 154 of cylinder head 150 (FIG. 8B). Ring
dowels 162 align the clamp 12, 12' with the cylinder head 150 and
extend into the fastener holes of clamp 12 to provide the desired
alignment of the clamp and cylinder head before the fasteners 50,
60 are secured.
Various aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated.
According to one aspect, a system includes a cylinder head for an
internal combustion engine and an exhaust manifold removably
engageable to the cylinder head. The exhaust manifold includes at
least one flange that is the positionable around a cylinder head
outlet for exhaust flow. The system also includes at least one
clamp that includes a recessed portion for receiving at least a
part of the at least one flange of the exhaust manifold. The at
least one clamp includes at least one bore for receiving at least
one fastener that couples the at least one clamp to the cylinder
head to clampingly engage the at least one flange to the cylinder
head around the cylinder head outlet.
In one embodiment, the recessed portion of the at least one clamp
is configured to receive a tab of the at least one flange and allow
the exhaust manifold to move relative to the at least one clamp in
response to thermal expansion of the exhaust manifold while
clampingly engaging the at least one flange to the cylinder
head.
In another embodiment, the at least one clamp includes a body
defining the recessed portion, a first lobe at a first side of the
recessed portion that defines a first bore for receiving a first
fastener, and a second lobe at a second side of the recessed
portion opposite the first side, the second lobe defining a second
bore for receiving a second fastener.
In a refinement of this embodiment, the body of the at least one
clamp includes a first end surface positioned toward the cylinder
head and an opposite second end surface, and the first and second
bores extend through the first and second end surfaces. In a
further refinement, the body of the at least one clamp includes a
first outer surface opposite the recessed portion, the first outer
surface extends between the first and second end surfaces, the
recessed portion includes a first surface portion that extends
parallel to the first outer surface from the second end surface to
an internal lip of the recessed portion, and the internal lip
extends to a second outer surface that extends parallel to the
first outer surface from the lip to the first end surface.
In yet a further refinement, the first and second end surfaces, the
first and second outer surfaces, and the first surface portion are
planar. In another refinement, the first and second lobes project
outwardly from the second outer surface and the first surface
portion of the recessed portion. In still a further refinement, the
first and second lobes each extend between the first and second end
surfaces along the first outer surface, the first and second lobes
each further extend along a respective one of opposite first and
second side surfaces of the body of the clamp, and the first and
second side surfaces each extend between the first and second end
surfaces along the first outer surface.
In another embodiment, the at least one fastener includes a sleeve
that is positioned in the at least one bore and a cap screw that is
positioned through the sleeve. In yet another embodiment, the at
least one flange of the exhaust manifold includes at least one of a
low friction coating and a wear pad that is positioned against the
cylinder head and/or manifold-clamp interface.
In another embodiment, the exhaust manifold includes a first inlet
portion and a second inlet portion that each include a
corresponding one of a first flange and a second flange that are
positionable around respective ones of first and second cylinder
head outlets. The at least one clamp includes a first clamp and a
second clamp that each include a recessed portion for receiving a
corresponding one of the first flange and the second flange of the
exhaust manifold, and each of the first and second clamps includes
at least two bores each for receiving a fastener that engages the
cylinder head to clampingly engage the at least one flange around
the corresponding one of the first and second cylinder head
outlets.
In a refinement of this embodiment, the first and second inlet
portions of the exhaust manifold come together at a common outlet
of the exhaust manifold. In a further refinement, the exhaust
manifold includes a connecting portion for connection with a second
exhaust manifold.
In another embodiment, the at least one clamp includes a first
clamp body engaged to an upper end of the at least one flange of
the exhaust manifold and a second clamp body movably engaged to a
lower end of the at least one flange of the exhaust manifold. Each
of the first and second clamp bodies include at least one bore for
receiving at least one fastener that engages the cylinder head to
clampingly engage the at least one flange around the cylinder head
outlet with the first and second clamp bodies. In a refinement of
this embodiment, the first and second clamp bodies are joined
together at one end with a strut to provide a C-shaped clamping
assembly.
According to another aspect, an apparatus for clamping an exhaust
manifold flange around an outlet of a cylinder head of an internal
combustion engine is provided. The apparatus includes a clamp with
a clamp body with a recessed portion for receiving at least a part
of the exhaust manifold flange. The body of the clamp includes at
least one bore for receiving at least one fastener that couples the
body of the clamp to the cylinder head to clampingly engage the
exhaust manifold flange to the cylinder head around the outlet.
In one embodiment, the recessed portion of the clamp body is
configured relative to the part of the exhaust manifold flange to
allow the exhaust manifold to move relative to the clamp in
response to thermal expansion of the exhaust manifold with the
flange clampingly engaged to the cylinder head.
In another embodiment, the body of the clamp includes a first lobe
at a first side of the recessed portion that defines a first bore
for receiving a first fastener, and a second lobe at a second side
of the recessed portion opposite the first side, the second lobe
defining a second bore for receiving a second fastener. In a
refinement of this embodiment, the body of the clamp includes a
first end surface positioned toward the cylinder head and an
opposite second end surface, and the first and second bores extend
through the first and second end surfaces.
In a further refinement of the embodiment, the body of the clamp
includes a first outer surface opposite the recessed portion. The
first outer surface extends between the first and second end
surfaces, and the recessed portion includes a first surface portion
that extends parallel to the first outer surface from the second
end surface to an internal lip of the recessed portion. The
internal lip extends to a second outer surface that extends
parallel to the first outer surface from the lip to the first end
surface.
In yet a further refinement, the first and second end surfaces, the
first and second outer surfaces, and the first surface portion are
planar, and the first and second lobes project outwardly from the
second outer surface and the first surface portion of the recessed
portion. In still another refinement, the first and second lobes
each extend between the first and second end surfaces along the
first outer surface, and the first and second lobes each further
extend along a respective one of opposite first and second side
surfaces of the body of the clamp. The first and second side
surfaces each extend between the first and second end surfaces
along the first outer surface.
According to another aspect, an apparatus for clamping an exhaust
manifold flange around an outlet of a cylinder head of an internal
combustion engine is provided. The apparatus has a clamp including
a first clamp body with a first recessed portion for receiving a
first part of a flange of the exhaust manifold. The clamp further
includes a second clamp body with a second recessed portion for
receiving a second part of the flange of the exhaust manifold. Each
of the first and second clamp bodies includes at least one bore for
receiving at least one fastener to couple the first and second
clamp bodies to the cylinder head and clampingly engage the flange
around the outlet of the cylinder head.
In one embodiment, the first and second clamp bodies are joined
together at one end with a strut to provide a C-shaped clamping
assembly.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in
the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been
shown and described and that all changes and modifications that
come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be
protected. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words
such as "a," "an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are
used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item
unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the
language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item
can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically
stated to the contrary.
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